Ascent of Rocky Peak Ridge on 2013-01-06

Ascent Trip Report

I ascended via Giant's washbowl today at around 10 with a friend from college, her friend from grad school and her wonderful dog, Baxter. This being my first winter attempt of the season, my first 4K peak since Katahdin in September and my first mountain in a few weeks, this is probably the most out of (hiking) shape and conditioning I've been in a while. Giant was a lot steeper than I remember as well...

Weather was great, minus a tunk of wind at the top of RPR and the cloud cover "spoiling" the views... I had a crystal clear day mid September for the previous ascent, so you win some, you lose some. Still had great views the whole ridge. And the grey cloud made a good backdrop for the trees.

We summited Giant around noontime, and RPR about an hour later. Trail is well broken in and very easy to follow. We were one of the last groups out for the day, and the butt sliding probably helped groom the trail a bit for whoever is next c: We were back at the car by 4.

However, beware coming down, as there is a section .5-1 miles south of the summit where the red and blue trails meet with no trail marker. Red is right, blue is left. Someone carved a little notch in the tree there, I think as a marker, but it isn't very pronounced. There are also a few paths cutting of switchbacks, so FYI to that.

Roaring Brook and the little side trails to the Nubble are both VERY well defined, to anyone travelling between now and the next snowfall.